Quick and simple .308 VS .270 question

bill c68

bill c68

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In my opinion the cartridges are even in what you can do with them, I have read those posts as to which cartridge is better.

My question is felt recoil, how do they compare. I am looking at getting one for my wife but it all boils down to recoil.

I know with handloads I can likely load either one to have less recoil. but given the factory norms for deer and bear loads, which has less kick.

Thanks,
Rick
 
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I think it will depend on the rifle you buy more than the shell(the .308Win and the .270 both come from the parent case the 30-06)and the weight of the rifle and angle of the buttstock will have much more of a issue to recoil than the shell itself!

Bob
 
I've shot them both is various rifles and can't really tell them apart ?
308, less powder heavier bullets...
270, more powder lighter bullets...

I figure they are about the same. Most likely the biggest diff is found in the Fact the 308 can be had in a short action vs the long action 270, often the Short action rifle will be abit lighter.......this may give the edge to the 270 in less felt recoil ???
ALL things equal though I'd bet they come in about the same :)
 
bobbyjack said:
I think it will depend on the rifle you buy more than the shell(the .308Win and the .270 both come from the parent case the 30-06)and the weight of the rifle and angle of the buttstock will have much more of a issue to recoil than the shell itself!

Bob
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I am looking at the same gun in either caliber, the only difference will be Short action vs. Long action.
I figured they were about the same, but I have only really shot 22-250 and 30-06 so I have little to compare.

I have decided on getting a Stevens 200. I figure I can always do some upgrade to the rifle over time and it is for my wife mostly as I have a 30-06 now. I have been told that once I start shooting 308, I may not want to shoot my 30-06 anymore.
 
Cujo03 said:
I not sure but i dont think the 308 case has any connection to the 270 case as it quite abit smaller.
Go with a 270.
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You are absoluty correct,and the 308 Win has much more in common with the .45Acp than the 30-06.

I was useing it as a reference to the power range,and I agree there would be little difference in recoil.

I find a .243 to have as much recoil as my 99 in .308Win,percieved recoil is just that.

I know a pump shotgun with 3inch mags kick like a mule,but I don't think a .375 H&H kicks that much(in fact it has more lbs recoil)but doesn't feel like it.

So yes you are right.

Bob
 
to me having shout both cals the reoils is the same if i were you i would find somebody or bodys that have those cals and have her shoot them and see what she likes just my 2 cents
 
bobbyjack said:
You are absoluty correct,and the 308 Win has much more in common with the .45Acp than the 30-06.

I was useing it as a reference to the power range,and I agree there would be little difference in recoil.

I find a .243 to have as much recoil as my 99 in .308Win,percieved recoil is just that.

I know a pump shotgun with 3inch mags kick like a mule,but I don't think a .375 H&H kicks that much(in fact it has more lbs recoil)but doesn't feel like it.

So yes you are right.

Bob
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From what I have read the .308 case was developed on the success of the .300 savage it definately isn't a 30-06 adaption as was suggested. Maybe the confusion comes from the .300 savage and the .308 being developed to attempt 06 performance in short action cartridges?

The 270 shoots a little flatter and is for a standard action rifle. The .308 carries a bit of a heavier bullet and a little less powder hence it does not shoot as flat and with the reduced velocity when compared to the .270 there is no energy gain despite the heavier bullet. On the plus side it is short action. If you want a light mountain or close country type rifle with a shorter barrell that is fast handling go with the .308. If you hunt in more open country or long range shots are really important to you go with the .270. I have a .308 in a 5 1/2 pound light weight rifle the recoil is more than manageable. It is a joy to carry all day long straight up hill and it will get the job done on any ungulate out to 250 yards or so. I don't have a .270 but have handled and shot them. I have a 7mm rem mag that is just a little more of a good thing for open country hunting. Why not get the rem mag and have .270 performance while still being able to throw a 175 grain bullet?

As mentioned you really can't go wrong with either the .308 or the .270 but they are not as similar as has been suggested. In rifles of the same weight etc the .270 will kick a wee bit more acording to tables but can you really feel one foot pound of energy? Go check out recoil tables here (note I put a space in the http):

h ttp://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
 
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Hawkeye said:
to me having shout both cals the reoils is the same if i were you i would find somebody or bodys that have those cals and have her shoot them and see what she likes just my 2 cents
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I know right now, she is not going to enjoy shooting either one, but with a little tweaking with a recoil reducer and a nice thick pad, maybe some reduced loads, I think we will be OK.

Currently she is shooting 22s and a 20 gauge OU, I have had to put a softer pad on her OU already, so I may be in for a challenge. I think her flinch might be more in the bang in than in the actual felt recoil.
 
I have shot both the .308 and the .270 and I've talked to guys that have taken animals with both. They are both excellent cartridges, but I would take the .270 handsdown any day over the .308. I've always used 150 Grain loads for moose and such but a 130 grain bullet, if it's the right bullet (Barne's TSX, Nosler Partition, Accubond, etc.) will fly faster and hit harder at longer ranges. On top of that, it's very comfortable to shoot. I have a Browning A-bolt II with the BOSS. I would recommend you getting one like this for her because of the reduced recoil with the BOSS. She could shoot it at the range, with ear muffs on, all day long until she is really comfortable with it and then you could switch it to the BOSS CR for hunting (because the regular BOSS is just way too loud).

Just my $0.02.
 
First I believe the 7-8x57mm Mauser is the parent of all the -06, 300s, & 308 family + a few more.

For your wife, your absolutely right, if she develops a flinch she'll neither shoot well nor enjoy shooting.
If it was me I'd look at the new .260, I'd download it & spend some time at the range with earmuffs & a recoil pad, till she gets real comfortable shooting it! Then, with-out telling her I'd slowly work up the loads till satisfactory for hunting :)
 
.270 with a stoutly built 130 grain bullet will be the best ticket if you expect shots at longer distances.

I have both and, while the .308 is the better choice in a lighter/shorter "carrying" rifle, the .270 shoots way flatter at 300 yards.

The .308 isn't far behind, though. I'd say: consider the type of terrain that you hunt in. If long shots aren't the norm and you want a handier rifle to carry, go with a lighter and shorter .308.

Better yet, get one of each! ;)

BTW: All of these calibres are the offspring of the 7 x 57 Mauser (30-06 included). That great caliber (or its modern incarnate, the 7-08 if you aren't a handloader) may well be your best bet.:)
 
The parent caliber 7x57 (7mm Mauser) isn't a bad choice either. But out of the 2 ,I would choose the .308. Bigger bullets put's em down better.
 
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